"Your dad is really excited to meet you soon, it's driving me crazy."

Oliver paused in the doorway of the room that he shared with Felicity, carrying a tray of food. He remained out of sight as he listened to his wife speak.

"He's really excited about the whole 'being a father' thing," Felicity continued. "I guess, because he missed it all with William. He sees you as his second chance. His chance to do it all right. And he will. He's going to be an amazing father."

Oliver moved slightly, leaning so that he could look into the room. He could see Felicity, laying on their bed, surrounded by pillows and blankets. Her hands were resting on her rounded, seven and a half month pregnant belly. She gently rubbed her stomach as she continued speaking to their unborn child, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"I don't think I've ever seen him so excited as when I told you that you were on the way, little Peanut. He cried, which he almost never does. And he picked me up and spun me around, but he set me back down almost right away, nervous that he had hurt you.

"That is the first thing you'll learn about your father. He is protective. Sometimes it will feel like he's too protective, but that's only because he loves you and he doesn't want anything to happen to you. He's lost a lot of people that he has loved. Your grandma and grandpa. Your uncle Tommy, Auntie Laurel. We'll tell you stories about them someday. He doesn't want to lose anyone else. He wants you safe. And he'll do anything to make sure that that happens.

"I know this from experience, Peanut. Someday I'll tell you stories of all the silly things your daddy did to keep me safe. I can relate though, I'd do anything to keep you safe too. You gave us quite the scare this week," Felicity continued.

Oliver recalled the "scare". He had never been so terrified in his life.

Felicity had been in the bunker, finishing up for the night and getting ready to head home. Oliver hadn't been overjoyed by the idea of Felicity continuing to work with the team as she neared the end of her pregnancy. But Felicity had argued that it didn't change anything. She wouldn't stop helping keep the city safe just because she was pregnant. If anything, her being pregnant only drove her to want to fight more. To create a safer place for her child to live.

The couple had had a huge argument which had resulted in Oliver spending the night on their couch. The next day, once both their tempers had cooled, they had agreed that Felicity could continue working with the team, on two conditions. The first, was Felicity had to leave at a decent hour, ensuring that she would always get the amount of sleep that she and the baby required. The second, was someone had to stay with her in the bunker at all times. That way, she wouldn't be alone if anything were to happen.

Oliver had been on his motorcycle, heading back to the bunker, listening to Felicity's babbles over the comms, when she suddenly broke off with a pained gasp. Oliver had felt his entire body freeze in terror. He had begun screaming her name, demanding to know what was happening.

It had been Thea's turn to stay with Felicity, she informed Oliver that Felicity was experiencing some cramping and she was going to take Felicity to the hospital, just to make sure nothing was wrong. He could meet them there once he had changed out of his Green Arrow suit.

Oliver had pushed his bike to the limit, weaving his way through traffic, desperate to get to Felicity's side. He had made it back to the bunker in record time, breaking numerous traffic laws along the way. John was waiting for him as he quickly changed out of his suit. John drove him to the hospital and followed him inside. He had made it to Felicity's side just as the doctor had been explaining that the cramping Felicity was feeling was most likely due to stress. Telling her that the best way to stop them and avoid any reocurrences, was bed rest.

"Your dad was so worried," Felicity whispered. "All he wants is to be a good father to you. I think it's because his father wasn't always the best. Your dad doesn't want to be like him. And after everything with William, he needs to prove to himself that he can be a good father.

"I know he will be, I've always known. He cares and loves with everything in him. He will treasure you and keep you safe. And he will always be there for you. Just like I will," Felicity promised as she raised her fingers to her mouth, she placed a kiss to her fingertips before pressing them onto her belly.

Oliver took a step forward, leaning on the door frame. Felicity looked up at him and smiled. "How long were you listening?"

"Long enough," Oliver answered, as he walked over to their bed. He placed the tray down on the bedside table. "I brought you some lunch."

Felicity carefully pushed herself up into a sitting position. "Food," she cheered. "Is it…"

"Grilled cheese with pickles," Oliver finished, shaking his head at his wife's food choices.

"Perfect," she smiled, taking a bite of the sandwich. "Mmmm, just what I was needing."

Oliver laid down on the bed next to Felicity, he placed his hand on her belly. "Hello, little one," he greeted and leaned down, placing a kiss to her stomach, grinning when he felt their child kick under his hand.

"She likes the sound of your voice," Felicity muttered out in between bites of food.

"'She'?" Oliver asked in surprise. "Our little Peanut is a 'she' today? Yesterday, you were sure they were a 'he'."

"Definitely, a girl," Felicity decided. "The way she acts when she hears your voice, it's the same way I react when I hear it."

"Maybe," Oliver agreed. "You know, I never knew that this was possible."

"What?" Felicity asked.

"To love someone this much, when I haven't even met them yet," Oliver whispered.

"Just wait until we met our little Peanut," Felicity smiled. "She will be so loved. She will be our greatest adventure."

"She will." He gently rubbed circles on Felicity's belly, feeling their child moving under his hand. "You're right, you know."

"I usually am," Felicity agreed. "But about what in particular?"

"I am really excited to meet our little Peanut," Oliver elaborated, he slid down the bed slightly, resting his head on Felicity's belly. "More than I can even begin to explain. But I'm scared too."

"What do you have to be scared about?" Felicity asked, gently running her fingers through his hair.

"What if I'm a bad father?" he confessed, fear creeping into his voice. "You're right that I didn't exactly have the best example growing up."

"Impossible," Felicity declared. "You have read every single parenting book, cover to cover. You have baby proofed our entire house and the bunker. You built a nursery and have purchased at least a years supply of diapers. You can do this. Because you have me, so you're not alone. We're going to do this whole parenting thing together. Because we're a team, and we can do this."

Oliver sighed, he rubbed his cheek against Felicity's belly.

"Together," he echoed.